Librarian (Rare Books Cataloguer) - Part Time

Longleat is seeking a qualified and experienced part-time Librarian (Rare Books Cataloguer) to join our team and help us continue our tradition of hiring engaged, productive employees. With a core business of around 1 million guests every year, we are passionate about providing immersive experiences that bring family and friends together to create memories that will last a lifetime.

In this unique work environment, you will be surrounded by historic landscapes and listed buildings, and even have the opportunity to visit Koalas during your lunch break. We have also recently added exclusive luxury rural retreats to our offerings, giving guests the chance to enhance their visit with us.

The Librarian plays a crucial role in cataloguing and overseeing the vast book collections at Longleat. These remarkable libraries, considered one of the finest in private possession, house approximately 44,000 volumes. Spanning across seven libraries within the magnificent Longleat House, this unparalleled collection comprises items of immense national and international importance. Within its pages, one can discover treasured works such as William Caxton's renowned Recuyell of the Histories of Troye and the suppressed first edition of Lewis Carroll's masterpiece, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

**What will this role entail?**

Reporting to the Curator, you’ll will be entrusted with the vital task of meticulously cataloguing the libraries, adhering to modern international standards. This includes ensuring that all relevant volumes are accurately included in our online catalogues and facilitating scholarly access to the collection. In addition, you will have the opportunity to curate temporary displays of library materials, captivating visitors with the richness of our collection. Lastly, you will play a crucial role in overseeing the preservation and conservation efforts for our precious books, safeguarding their longevity for future generations to appreciate.

Key duties will include:

- Lead on the migration of the existing Library catalogue to a new Collections Management System.
- Complete cataloguing of the library collections to DCRM(B) and MARC21 standards.
- Report volumes, as appropriate, to ESTC and the Heritage of the Printed Book (HPB) online catalogues.
- Work with the Curator and Archivist to deliver displays of archive and library material.
- Participate in, and where necessary deliver, role appropriate engagement activities (e.g. specialist tours)
- Undertake collections care activities, including preventive conservation tasks and commissioning conservation by external specialists.
- Support business resilience by producing manuals and guidance notes covering area of responsibility.

**What will I need to be considered for this vacancy?**
- Postgraduate Library/Information Management degree
- 2-years’ experience cataloguing rare books/special collections
- Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, Access, and PowerPoint
- Ability to read and interpret a variety of printed material from the 16th century onwards
- Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to prioritise multiple tasks while maintaining excellent attention to detail

**What will I receive in return?**

As a Librarian you will receive a salary of £26,000 - £30,000 pro rata, in addition to a range of attractive benefits that include;
- 29 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays (pro rata)
- Unlimited free entry to Longleat for our employees
- Complimentary tickets to Longleat and Cheddar Gorge and Caves, 18 per annum pro rata
- 50% off Annual passes for Friends and Family
- Discounts on food and beverages and retail merchandise
- 20% off VIP Experiences, 10% off Accommodation
- Discretionary bonus scheme
- Employee Assistant Programme
- Employer contributory pension scheme
- Life assurance scheme
- Perks at work
- Range of flexible working schemes

This is a fixed term two year contract, working 22.5 hours per week across Monday-Friday, but with occasional weekends as required. The earliest start time is 9am, and the latest finish time is 5.30pm.

At Longleat, we believe in engaging and inspiring our employees, putting people first, taking accountability, continuously improving, and acting with integrity. We invite everyone who works with us to subscribe to these values, as they truly set us apart as a place to work.

**Location**: Longleat (Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 7NW)